Kansas football QB Jason Bean wanted to ‘make a statement’ vs. Cincinnati. Here’s why
As Kansas Jayhawks quarterback Jason Bean sat on the sideline and watched his team suffer an agonizing defeat vs. in-state rival Kansas State last Saturday, he made himself a promise.
He vowed to return and make a statement in KU’s final regular-season game against Cincinnati.
Bean returned with a vengeance on Saturday. As for a statement? He certainly did that as well.
The QB completed 13 of 17 pass attempts for 250 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. He added another 90 rushing yards and two rushing scores, all while leading the Jayhawks (8-4, 5-4 Big 12) to a 49-16 blowout victory over the Bearcats.
“Last week was definitely tough just sitting on the sidelines and watching,” Bean said. “I think that was one of the main reasons I wanted to come back and just play that game last weekend. It kind of bummed me out not to be able to play. I kind of had that in the back of my mind all week in preparation. I just wanted to come out and make a statement this weekend.”.
For Bean, every snap is precious in his sixth and final season.
“I wanted to play as much time as I can with these guys. I only have a few more opportunities,” Bean said. “I think it was kind of big for me to get on the field this weekend and especially in this ballgame, too.”
After all, Bean returned to Kansas this season in part because of his special bond with his teammates.
“It felt good to get back out there with the boys,” Bean said. “In an environment like this, on the road, it’s always kind of difficult to keep your composure or stay locked in the whole time, but I think we did a good job of that.”
Thrust into action early in the season due to starting quarterback Jalon Daniels’ lingering back injury, Bean answered the call. He has quarterbacked five wins and helped lead the Jayhawks to their best regular-season finish since 2007.
So, it’s unsurprising that Bean delivered another exceptional performance on Saturday.
Bean was a perfect 10-for-10 passing for 190 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. He delivered pinpoint passes, avoided the Bearcats’ pass rush and, most importantly, made no mistakes.
In the second half, he iced the game for the Jayhawks with two long touchdown runs.
Kansas coach Lance Leipold couldn’t help but admire Bean’s play.
“He really put it all (out there),” Leipold said. “But, you know, it was the rundown on the sideline over there where he accelerated again where I saw him start to feel comfortable. (I saw) that he was kind of back and you could see that through the two long runs that he had in the speed. ... It really kind of sealed this game.
“I’m really happy for him and happy for our team, who got to see him bounce back this way.”
Bean’s play also earned him praise from running back Devin Neal.
“I mean, we see what he can do, man,” Neal said. “He’s truly special. Like I’ve said a million times, he’s such a threat with his feet and he was slinging the ball around today. The receivers were catching everything, it seemed like. It was just really cool to see it all come together.”
While Bean’s play was a sight to behold, it was yet another chapter in the story of a KU season that few saw coming.
You can count Bean among the few who did — as he had grander expectations.
“I kind of envisioned a little more for us. We had some pretty high goals for this team this year, and we kind of fell short of those goals,” Bean said. “But we still accomplished a lot and we still have more to accomplish.”
Bean and the Jayhawks will try to earn a ninth win for just the sixth time in KU history come bowl season.
